Gaspare’s voice was rough, arbitrary, but the eyes that he turned on Ruffo were full of the almost melting gentleness that Hermione had seen in them sometimes and that she had always loved.
“Come on, Ruffino!”
He walked away quickly, almost sternly, towards the house. And Ruffo followed him.
CHAPTER XLI
Artois did not go with them. Once again he was governed by an imperious feeling that held him inactive, the feeling that it was not for him to approach Hermione—that others might draw near to her, but that he dared not. The sensation distressed and almost humiliated him, it came upon him like a punishment for sin, and as a man accepts a punishment which he is conscious of deserving Artois accepted it.
So now he waited alone on the crest of the island, looking towards the Casa del Mare.
What would be the result of this strange and daring embassy?
He was not long to be in doubt.
“Signore! Signore!”